4 Advantages of Using AMS 5510 Stainless Steel
There are many different stainless steel grades, and each is better suited for different purposes. If you are looking for stainless steel with high resistance to intergranular corrosion and excellent mechanical properties, then AMS 5510 fits the bill. A variant of type 321 stainless steel, AMS 5510, has many industrial uses compared to type 304L and 304 stainless steel. These are the advantages of using AMS 5510 stainless steel.
1. Presence of Titanium in 321 Steel Makes It Resistant to Intergranular Corrosion
Carbide precipitation is one of the greatest challenges when welding steel at extremely high temperatures. The weld areas with temperatures of 930°F – 1470°F are referred to as carbide precipitation zone. At these high temperatures, Chromium combines with Carbon, and this forms chromium carbides at the grain boundaries. As a result, the corrosion resistance of steel is greatly impacted, reducing its effectiveness in high-temperature industrial uses such as making chemical processing equipment.
To counter the carbide precipitation effect, manufacturers utilize stainless steel with lower carbon content, such as 304L stainless steel. However, the most efficient way of combating carbide precipitation is by using type 321 steel, which is stabilized using Titanium. When AMS 5510 steel is exposed to high temperatures – 930°F – 1470°F-, the Carbon is attracted to the Titanium instead of Chromium. Therefore, precipitation of chromium carbides is avoided. Resultantly, equipment made from 321 steel is more resistant to intergranular corrosion and can be used in many applications requiring high temperatures or involve corrosive substances such as chemicals.
2. Fatigue Strength
For steel to be workable and utilized in many industrial applications, it should have a high endurance limit. AMS 5510 has a higher fatigue strength compared to 304 stainless. In its annealed condition, type 321 steel has an endurance limit close to one-half of its tensile strength. This increases the ductility of 321 steel, and the high endurance limit allows manufacturers to use it for high-temperature welding purposes. Additionally, it has a high creep and stress rupture threshold, which prevents temperature sensitizations in applications with prolonged high-temperature exposures.
3. Type 321 Steel Resists Oxidation up to 1500 Fahrenheit
321 Stainless steel provides the best resistance to corrosion and oxidation more than 304 stainless or 302 stainless. It has high creep strength that allows it to be used in applications that require continuous or intermittent service temperatures. This means that AMS 5510 can be used in equipment that requires cooling or heating within the range of 800 to 1500 Fahrenheit without sustaining rust. It is best suited for chemical processing equipment that works under high temperatures and where corrosion has to be avoided at all costs. Applications that involve diluted organic acids and pure phosphoric acids are sensitive to corrosion even under lower temperatures. This makes 321 stainless steel highly effective in making thin metal strips, tubing, thin steel sheet, and steel pipes commonly utilized in chemical processing plants.
4.Type 321 Steel Is Perfect for Welding
Besides preventing carbide precipitation during welding, 321 stainless steel forms easily, and it can be hardened by cold working. This saves manufacturers a lot of time and resources that would have been used for hot working. For large industrial welding processes that take place in high temperatures, AMS 5510 works best. Most manufacturers prefer 321 steel over 304 stainless when welding expansion joints and manufacturing aircraft piston engine manifolds and exhaust stacks. Other industrial applications that may utilize 321 stainless include thermal oxidizers, refinery equipment, food processing equipment and storage, and high-temperature chemical process equipment.
The benefits of AMS 5510 stainless steel in industrial applications include resistance to intergranular corrosion, fatigue strength, high oxidation resistance, and are highly weldable. With the many benefits of 321 steel, it is good news that more than 80 million tons of steel is recycled in the U.S. every year. This accounts for 69% of all steel produced globally. To get the best quality of 321 steel, you should trust the top thin sheet metal supplier near you.